(19)
(11) EP 0 370 730 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
03.04.1991 Bulletin 1991/14

(43) Date of publication A2:
30.05.1990 Bulletin 1990/22

(21) Application number: 89312005.5

(22) Date of filing: 20.11.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: C07C 209/60
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

(30) Priority: 22.11.1988 JP 293664/88
01.12.1988 JP 302218/88

(71) Applicant: NIPPON SHOKUBAI KAGAKU KOGYO CO. LTD.
Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 541 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Shimasaki, Yuuji
    Takatsuki-shi Osaka-fu (JP)
  • Hino, Youichi
    Sakai-shi Osaka-fu (JP)
  • Ueshima, Michio
    Takarazuka-shi Hyogo-ken (JP)
  • Hayashi, Tetsuro
    Takasuki-shi Osaka-fu (JP)
  • Tuneki, Hideaki
    Shinagawa-ku Tokyo (JP)

(74) Representative: Myerscough, Philip Boyd (GB) et al
J.A. Kemp & Co. 14 South Square, Gray's Inn
GB-London WC1R 5EU
GB-London WC1R 5EU (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Method of producing ethylenediamines


    (57) A method of producing ethylenediamines repre­sented by the general formula
    H₂NCH₂HNH₂      (I)

    wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, or a methyl or ethyl group,
    Which comprises reacting an aziridine compound of the general formula

    wherein R is as defined,
    with ammonia in the gaseous phase in the presence of a solid acid catalyst. In another aspect, a method of producing ethylenediamines of the general formula (I), which comprises reacting a reaction product containing an azirieine compound of the general formula (II), obtained by the gaseous phase intramolecular dehydration reaction of an alkanolamine represented by the general formula
    H₂-H-R      (III)

    wherein X represents the OH group or the NH₂ group, Y represents the NH₂ group when X is the OH group and the OH group when X is the NH₂ group, and R is as defined,
    in the presence of a catalyst A, with ammonia in the gaseous phase in the presence of a solid acid catalyst (catalyst B).













    Search report